Spanish Wine Primer

From Albariño to Ribera, better and better wines are arriving from Spain.

Pairing Sunshine with a Wine's Tart Spritz

Iberian whites are like a splash of lemon juice on seafood.

Zucchini Carpaccio with Feta and Pine Nuts

A beautiful way to use up summer squash.

A wine-geek friend brought over this Lodi version of Albariño last night. Amazing apricot nose when the bottle was first opened, but didn’t taste anything like any Spanish Albariños, and wasn’t very nice. It...

purchase this wine, please write back and let me know. PS: If you do get an opportunity to try Albarino, I would suggest that you go for it. It is a light white wine that can be enjoyed by the most discriminating wine drinkers.

Snapper Ceviche with Chiles and Herbs

Orange juice and mint update this classic Latin dish.

Montaditos with Boquerones and Olive Relish

White anchovies with olive relish.

Serrano Ham and Membrillo Crostini

Sweet-salty bites topped with Manchego cheese.

Watermelon Gazpacho

A twist on the classic cold soup, with watermelon in addition to tomatoes.

Tigres Rabiosos

Spicy stewed mussels.

2006 Bodegas Gerardo Mendez Do Ferreiro Albariño, Cepas Vellas (Rias Baixas DO, Spain): Purported to come from 200-year old vines (and I have absolutely no reason to doubt this!), this Albariño is like no other. Fermented in...

I’ll probably take some heat from the wine experts on the board, but I think albariño — like many light white wines — does not improve in the bottle. It’s best when it is young, vibrant and semi-bubbly....

2006 Bodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes "Albariño de Fefiñanes" (Rías Baixas, Spain): Very light, pale straw with a greenish cast; wonderful lime and mineral notes, echoed on the palate with firm acidity and laser-like focus. Truly...

A Viognier discovery.

Going on a Tempranillo kick got me no closer to understanding the grape.